Team Southwest 3SSB Coaches

Coach Michael Nielson

Coach Mike Nielson will serve as the 17U and 15U 3SSB coach for Team Southwest. He brings a wealth of experience from both collegiate and club basketball, as well as his service in the Texas Army National Guard.

In September 2023, Coach Mike joined the Southwestern University Women’s Basketball program as an Assistant Coach for the Pirates. In his first season, he contributed to scouting reports, walk-throughs, individual skill development, academic meetings, summer camps, and all aspects of recruiting.

Prior to Southwestern, Coach Mike was an Assistant Women’s Basketball Coach at Concordia University Texas, where he helped coach 10 All-ASC selections. A Concordia graduate, he earned a double major in Kinesiology and Physical Education, followed by a master’s degree in Coaching and Sports Administration while serving as a Graduate Assistant for the women’s basketball team. During his time as a student-athlete, he competed in both basketball and track & field.

Coach Mike previously coached for the Team Lex program, focusing on player development at the highest level. He also serves as a medic in the Texas Army National Guard, demonstrating his commitment to service and leadership.

A Central Texas native, Coach Mike hails from Kyle, Texas. He currently resides in Georgetown, Texas, with his wife Erin and their son, Tatum.

Coach Ralph Hernandez

Ralph Hernandez, originally from Lubbock, Texas, played varsity basketball at Lubbock High School before earning a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) from Texas Tech University. In 2000, he relocated to the Dallas-Fort Worth area, bringing his passion for basketball and mentorship with him.

From 2002 to 2008, Hernandez coached boys’ AAU basketball with the Texas Top Prospects program in Dallas, working alongside Kenneth Willingham to develop young athletes. In 2009, he partnered with Dez Willingham to expand the organization to include girls’ teams, providing the unique opportunity to coach his daughter throughout her middle and high school years.

Mentoring and training both his son and daughter has been a particularly rewarding part of Hernandez’s coaching journey. His daughter’s commitment and hard work led to a successful collegiate basketball career, and she has since transitioned into coaching, now serving as an assistant coach at Stephen F. Austin State University.

In 2018, Hernandez co-founded Texas Flight, a youth basketball club dedicated to developing young athletes, which later merged with Texas Elite in 2022.

With a coaching philosophy rooted in teamwork, discipline, and personal growth, Ralph Hernandez is committed to helping the next generation of athletes unlock their full potential—on the court and in life.